Justin
I had the perfect bachelor’s life.
No obligations.
No commitments.
The greatest job in the world, all while being paid millions to do it.
Until I became a dad overnight.
My world turned upside down,
I went from ballfields and bars to dirty diapers and bottles.
I turned to my best friend for help but ended up with his little sister.
Now, all I want is the one woman I can’t … help but ended up with his little sister.
Now, all I want is the one woman I can’t have.
She’s the curveball I never saw coming.
The one woman I’m willing to commit to and change my old ways for.
I just have to show her that we can be a family.
Riley
Indianapolis was my fresh start.
A new place near my family.
When my brother’s best friend ended up with a surprise baby dropped on his doorstep,
I was the perfect nanny for the job.
Everything was falling into place,
If only I could keep my mind and hands off the playboy baller dad.
Working for someone you are attracted to is hard.
But when he’s your brother’s best friend and you live with him?
Talk about impossible.
Fatherhood changed him, but is it enough to give us a chance at a happily ever after?
more
The Curve Ball is the second book in Samantha Lind’s “Indianapolis Lightening” series. We have been treated to a beautifully written surprise baby, single dad, best friend’s little sister romance book.
Justin is the ultimate player, a pro baseballer who is used to having no limitations and lives his life the way he wants. That is, until one of his flings appears on his doorstep to leave him with their daughter – one he had no idea even existed.
Naturally, Justin has no idea what to do with a baby and his first call is to his best friend, Derek, who has children of his own. Riley is Derek’s little sister who has just moved into the area to be closer to her family, and she offers to help Justin out with baby, Evie.
There is plenty of chemistry between our hero and heroine in this one. Another great book by Samantha Lind and I am definitely looking forward to see what we get next with this series.
This is the second book in the series. I love baseball and with this year’s season in limbo this book fed my baseball craving. Riley is the sister of Derek from the first book. Derek, Jillian, and the girls make cameos that made me supper happy. The playboy JJ is going to be thrown a curve ball from life. He has an unexpected surprise left on his door step. It’s really sweet watching JJ navigate fatherhood. It’s hard to believe where JJ starts to where he ends up at the end of the book. I really got lost in this book like I do every Samantha Lind book. I’m becoming a big fan of her baseball heroes as much as her hockey ones. This is a make you feel good book. It’s one that hit my in the heart with feels. This book also brings the steam. Things get burning hot between JJ and Riley. They have great chemistry, but Riley is JJ’s nanny. It’s going to be interesting when you throw that in plus Riley being off limits being the sister of Derek. It’s a book I recommend.
This was a sweet best friend sister story. Riley was such a breath of fresh air and exactly what Justin needed when his world suddenly turned upside down. He didn’t know that Riley was what he was missing in his life and when he discovered how sweet and genuine she is he pulled all stops with her. Riley was amazing with such a beautiful heart and soul. She took attacks like a champ but never lost herself. The chemistry between her and Justin were off the charts and these two sizzled until the end. Love the ending and the epilogue.
This is book two in the Indianapolis Lighting series and oh what a Curve Ball it is! Love it! Justin AKA JJ is all about baseball and scoring not only on the field, but off the field. Curve Ball one, you get a baby at your doorstep and are now a dad. Curve Ball two, you never saw your teammates and BFs sister as anything, but that is until she becomes your nanny. The question is will JJ throw another Curve Ball and strike out or will he land a homerun? The chemistry between these two is hawt, you will love how Riley is with Evie and you will laugh watching JJ tending to his daughter. Thank goodness for Riley or he’d be a hawt mess! HaHa (you will understand once you read the book). Fans of sports romance and BFs sister, this one’s for you then. There is not a book by this author that you won’t fall in love with regardless of her series. Speaking of which, I love an upcoming book in one of her other series that will be coming out soon cause I was hoping it would be this song! Score!
It was inevitable really, JJ and Riley.
From the end of the last book, you knew it was coming.
This book was low angst, slow burn perfection.
Sweet, saucy and oh so cute.
I loved it.
First, I have to say that this cover does all kinds of things for me! #winning
Full disclosure … the whole best friend sister/brother thing is not a forbidden trope in my eyes and I never really see it as a conflict. That part of this story wasn’t really what my focus was on. Surprise baby, that’s where my head was at as far as what trope this book was about and I’m pretty sure the author meant for it to be that way because baby Evie truly was the focal point of Justin and Riley. Add in the workplace environment and you’ve got yourself a forbidden romance lol But I digress ….
I really liked the story of Riley and Justin and baby Evie. Their close proximity allowed for their journey to make sense for me and it made their story easy to read. Not much about the story surprised me, but I didn’t find it predictable or boring. I mean yes, I saw the conflict coming a mile away but when you read as much as I do, that’s really not what attracts you to a book, it’s the characters and their growth. The author did a good job with this story-line and these characters. I’m looking forward to maybe reading snippets of the trio in future books! Their chemistry was on point from the very beginning and their sexy banter put a smile on my face!
Fan-freaking-tastic!!! Most of my favorite tropes all rolled into one fabulously written romance about Justin “JJ” Johnson and Riley Smythe. JJ gets the surprise of his life when a woman shows up on his doorstep and leaves a daughter with him that he had no clue existed. A panicked phone call later and he has Riley, his best friend’s little sister, helping him out but with instructions to keep his hands to himself. The chemistry between JJ and Riley is off the charts and they struggle to fight it. Their story is well written with some of our old friends included and a beautiful HEA. Another job well done for this wonderful author.
I am absolutely in love with Justin. Him, Riley and Evie, makes my heart so happy.
I loved this book even more than the last one (although please note, this works just fine as a standalone read, so don’t let that stop you)
This was absolutely fun, funny, sweet, and swoony– single dad who also happens to be a former playboy AND a hunky baseball player? Yes, please!
Lind does a phenomenal job creating real, complex characters that are utterly relatable and often hilarious (my favorite kind!) The relationships between those characters (romantic or otherwise) are at the heart of the story, because it’s never JUST about two people falling in love. We are able to watch JJ and Riley grow and evolve as individuals, and the relationships they have with their friends and families play an integral role in that process. I think that’s my favorite thing about Lind’s books — the banter between friends and the growth of her characters feels very genuine and makes everyone seem important, whether or not the main storyline revolves around them.
And, of course, I love the love. The chemistry between JJ and Riley is off the charts, and I’d be lying if I claimed I didn’t become attached to Evie myself. There’s a perfect balance of steam, sweetness, humor, and reality, and it makes for the perfect read. I swear every book is better than the last, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one!!
5 Stars
Review by Elizabeth
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night with Books
Home run!! Samantha Lind has delivered yet another book worth tons of home runs!! The Curve Ball is just as addicting as baseball, well in my case football.
I remember glimpses of Justin while reading the previous book, The Perfect Pitch. Justin is nice do not get me wrong but boy is that man a playboy. He should be named Playboy extraordinaire with how popular with the ladies he is. However, I can say that man does one heck of a turn around and this time it is not for a woman. Well, a woman he wants to date anyway.
Not only did Evie, his daughter, make him see the wrong with his ways, so did Riley. Riley is off limits as she is his best friend’s sister. Yep, you heard right. Best friend’s sister. Books within the trope, best friends sister, are always banging because it involves sneaking around — sometimes.
I have read many of Samantha’s books and I have to say that The Curve Ball is within my top five favorite books by her. I was blown away with how well she was able to pin down Riley and Justin. She threw in just the right amount of romance and feels. I loved that there was not any unnecessary drama between the characters. I also loved that it was not rushed, it was well paced. They both had Evie’s best interest at heart before themselves and that made the book all the better.
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a story about a new baby daddy where the mom abandons the child never to be seen again. The child is just 3 months old at the time and the baby daddy is Justin, who we met in the first book and is Derek’s best friend and baseball team buddy, Derek has a sister, Riley and he offers her help to Justin when he becomes a baby daddy in minutes.
All this happens in the first book, The Perfect Pitch and in this story we get to know Riley and Justin and get each one of their POV. Riley ends up as the nanny and moves in to help Justin and they form a friendship and connection.
They both fall into lust but they understand the risks and so I loved that they take their time to really get to know each other before anything happens.
There are lotsa hot scenes in this story and I loved Justin and Riley’s relationship and how honest they are with each other. I also loved how Just really grew up and matured in this story as he falls in love with his child.
This is a wonderful former manwhore romance between the best friends sister with an insta daddy plotline.
Totally in love with Justin and Riley seriously swooned so hard reading this book. Little Evie tied it all together is a sweet bow This book had me hooked from the start. Justin, the playboy got the surprise of his life. Watching him not only fall in love with his little girl but also his nanny, which is his best friends little sister gave me all the feels.
“The Curve Ball” by Samantha Lind is Book 2 of her Indianapolis Lightning Series and picks up where Book 1 “The Perfect Pitch” finishes (it can be read as a standalone but why do that and miss out on a fantastic second chance romance read?!). I was waiting with bated breathe for this release and it did not disappoint!!
This book was tailor made for my reading preferences because it is everything that I love:
It’s a (surprise) Single Daddy, Best Friend’s Sister, Sports Romance a.k.a The Holy Trinity of Romance Books!!!
Justin is your typical player on and off the field. He’s incredibly sexy and knows it and has never met a one night stand that he didn’t like.
Riley is a sexy, sweet, girl next door type, who is down on her luck. She relocates and moves into her successful older brother’s apartment looking for a fresh start.
When a baby is left on Justin’s doorstep Riley steps in to help. The sexy player is at a complete loss as to what to do until he discovers how incredibly good Riley is with his daughter. He immediately hires her as his nanny which puts a kabosh on his growing attraction to his teammate’s little sister. For her part Riley falls head over heals for the little girl in her care and her sexy father. What happens next is a series of will they, won’t they moments that had me rushing to get to the end. Their happily ever after was perfect and made this a book that I will never tire of recommending. TBR and Enjoy.
IN LOVE! I am a huge fan of Samantha Lind and I love every book she’s written! The Curve Ball was everything I wanted it to be and more! I am a huge fan of sports romances and Ms. Lind is a go-to for me! Justin and Riley’s story was amazing! The story was well written and I could not put it down! I cannot wait for more from this series! FIVE STARS!!
I always know going in to any book by Samantha Lind that I’m going to lose my heart to the characters. But with the Curve Ball I more than lost my heart. Justin and Riley may just be my favorite couple from her EVER! Their story is so sweet, so heartfelt, so hot, so EVERYTHING! It’s like Samantha took the best of the best and put it all into one beautiful book.
Heat
Swoon
Emotion
Charcter Growth
Supportive, loving family & friends
This book has it ALL!
Aw Samantha this book could not have been any sweeter, sexy and hot but sweet all the same. JJ was a favourite of mine in The Perfect Pitch he’s funny,charming and one of the biggest man whores in Indianapolis but I still wanted to hand over my panties!!
When Justin night goes from promising to an absolute nightmare the first thing he does is phone his best friend not only did Derek coming running but he brought the best reinforcement ever Derek’s sister Riley. Not only did she step up and help him at his worst moment, she quickly became some of the best moments of his day as well!
I loved every second of this book from the sweet tender moments between Evie and Justin to the HOT DAMN moments Riley and Justin shared, it couldn’t have been a more perfect Curve ball!!
Perfect setup to get Justin and Riley within inches of each other. The attraction between is palpable but they’re off limits. The tension skyrockets every time they’re in the same room together and I loved seeing how Justin changed his ways. The story is great and flows so well that is sucks you right in.
Oh my love of books!! Ms. Samatha you have totally made my ovaries explode with this beautiful story!
Justin is the hot playboy who doesn’t have the clue what a meaningful relationship is. He is out on the town after every game meeting new women.
Riley is the sweet sister of Derrick (Indianapolis Lightning Book 1) who is all around the best kind of girl.
When Justin has an unexpected visitor he and Riley meet as she is a huge help for his sweet little girl Evie. A slower burn but off the charts chemistry these two fight their attraction of one another due to all the circumstances that surround their lives.
But when they are tired of fighting their attraction will Derrick accept Justin being with his little sitter? As best friends Derrick and Justin had an agreement, hands off. Or will Riley and JJ risk their family and privacy for the chance at love?
This is the second book in the Indianapolis Lighting Series although it can be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading The Perfect Pitch first.
Well done Samantha, as always an amazing 5 stars!
My full rating is 3.5 stars.
Sports romance is one of my favourite tropes. I’ve read some of Samantha’s Indianapolis Eagles series, so although I missed book one in this new series, I was excited to give book two a go after reading the blurb.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and the storyline (brothers best friend, surprise baby it’s like all my favourite tropes in one book) the characters were engaging. I liked how the main focus from both Justin (JJ) and Riley was baby Evie and there was never a point where there love and care of her was overridden by the budding romance, which I have read in other such stories.
JJ is the epitome of player, both on and off the field, in fact we first meet him about to head out for the night to find a random hookup because, in his words, it’s been a week since he last had sex and that’s the longest he likes to leave it. I have to say, at this point I kind of despised him, but before he could get out of his garage someone he hooked up with last year is leaving a new born on his steps saying she’s his and running away. Where others would fail, JJ really stepped up. He took to fatherhood immediately and never once shyed away from taking care of Evie and as time went on, I really fell for him for the way he took care of her and always did what was best for her. There is a hilarious scene when he’s left alone with her for the first time and she has a blowout! That really was a welcome to fatherhood moment and made me laugh a lot.
Riley is the younger sister of JJ best friend Derek, who already being a father to two girls is who he calls first. Riley arrives to save the day. As she has been a nanny previously she quickly steps into the role for which she is a natural. Her attraction to JJ is there from the beginning, but both fight it for as long as possible, before giving in.
The reasons for not giving this story a higher mark are a few niggles that left me a bit confused throughout and left me feeling like I had missed integral parts of the story. Firstly, the blurb states JJ is going to prove he’s not not the player anymore and can be a partner, but this never really happens imo, one moment they are trying to deny the attraction and the next they are making out. I would’ve liked to see JJ making an effort to show he was changed.
There is also a couple of chunks of time missing, firstly, one day JJ and Riley are on the sofa kissing before Riley runs away, the next chapter it is a month later and there isn’t a lot said about the time in between. Secondly, at the very end, something is mentioned about what Riley has had to deal with being with a famous person, but this is not shown. I think adding these scenes in would’ve just added to the story and endeared readers more to both Riley and JJ showing their strong characters for what they have overcome to be together.
Overall this was an enjoyable read and I would certainly recommend you give it a go. I am also going to download book one. You definitely don’t need to have read it to enjoy The Curve Ball, but with the characters from book one playing a hefty part in this story, I would like to know their story too.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was another home run for this author! I absolutely love how her books are about men who happen to be athletes, instead of letting the sport take over the book! It makes the story so much….more! And JJ & Riley gave us an amazing story, with lots of twists and turns, surprises around every corner!
JJ is a pro baseball player, who is living is best life. Until his fun life gets turned around when a little surprise lands in his lap! And he has no idea what to do about it! Luckily, he has his friends and family to back him up, and help him along until he figures it out!
Riley is the kind of girl that everyone wants in their corner. She is just perfect! She takes whatever life throws at her and just “rolls with the punches”! When JJ needs help, she immediately offers her services, regardless of how it makes her feel.
This book was great in so many ways! All of my favorite types of stories all rolled into one amazing package. This author just keeps putting out amazing books, and I’m just going to have to keep reading them! Riley & JJ’s story is one of those that you read in one sitting, and then go back to read again! Definitely a must read!